Alyssa's Journey with Type 1 Diabetes





An outlet, a diary of sorts, a place for thoughts, a place to connect,
an expression of feelings about Juvenile Diabetes......



Friday, November 11, 2011

What's been going on....

Well, it has been a while since I've blogged.... I've been a very busy girl.  Since my last entry in September, we participated in our first walk for diabetes.  Our team, Alyssa's Angels, raised about $2400!!  We are so grateful for all the people who donated and for all our family and friends that walked with us!!

A lot of things have changed around her since I went back to work.  I can tell you that my husband has really stepped up and helped me around here.   Outside of the classes I have at the college, I also am taking 2 online classes.  So, much of my time at home is spent studying and doing homework.  He's cooked many dinners, kept Alyssa when she was home sick and taken the kids to doctor appointments so I wouldn't have to leave work.  He's self-employed, so his schedule is much more flexible.  The kids have also had to do a lot more.  I created a spread sheet with the monthly schedule and chores.  My oldest has saved me several times when I wasn't sure I'd get to after school care to pick up Alyssa in time....so glad he can drive!!  Trust me, he's super safe now that he's had a car wreck and had a deer hit him!

We had a little break!!  Hubby and I took a trip to Key West and Alyssa spent several days between her 2 grandma's.  The grandmas did a great job taking care of her!!  It was a nice break for us and I'm sure for Alyssa too.  The poor thing never gets to spend the night away from home....

Back to reality......Alyssa has adjusted well to our new busy schedule.  Right now my schedule consists of morning classes and working 32 hours a week at a medical office.  Everything has been going along smoothly until we had a battle with a cold last week that threw her sugar off the charts!  Just when you think you have a handle on this disease, it throws you something else.  She made it through only 1 whole day of school last week, came home early Monday of this week with a level near 400, but thankfully she's been well since Monday afternoon! 

Alyssa has been taking gymnastics once a week for the last 2 months, but beginning next week we are going to add a private lesson as well.  She is really enjoying it and learning so much!  Because her glucose levels are so sensitive to activity, we check levels and give a snack to cover what she'll burn during the class.  Then re-check after class.

The clinic I work at is an integrative health practice.  I have learned so much about the holistic approach and I am currently researching the effects of chromium on diabetes.  What I have found so far is that it is an insulin potentiator, so it makes the body's own insulin production go further.  I'm still researching.... 

1 comment:

  1. Glad you had time to update us on Alyssa and the family journey with juvenile diabetes. It is scary to think how a common cold can make her sugar levels fluctuate so severely. I commend you for keeping it as normal as possible for Alyssa..it may be time to research that pump. I know that your family has rallied with the extra load that you have taken in an effort to help with your career goals. I commend you, Phil and the kids...it does take a village! Thanks for updating.

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